Sleep, along with food and water, is a wildly important segment of our daily cycle. Not getting enough sleep is the cause of many negative impacts on our lives; such as stress, weight gain, exhaustion and a reduction in brain functionality. In this day and age, people are not getting enough sleep and this has been proven that it is vastly damaging to our mental and physical health. Getting enough sleep can be hard to do, and to create the right sleeping environment, even harder. But how much sleep is really enough? It is widely accepted that children should be getting at least 10 hours a night (plus a daily 1-3hr nap) but the recommended sleep duration for adults is a bit complex to determine. Let's explore it in detail.
Seven hours a night
There have been hundreds of sleep studies performed over the years, and sleep scientists are in general agreement that adults should be getting between 7 and 9 hours of sleep every night. Seems like we just found the answer already, right? Not quite. It is a lot more complicated than that. Scientists have discovered that sleeping for longer is not healthier. In fact, people that sleep for 6.5hours a night are more likely to live longer than adults that sleep 8 hours a night. The idea of sleeping for only 'X' hours every night also varies by culture. For example, in hot climates like Spain, it is common to take an afternoon nap before continuing on with your day. Some scientists argue that short amounts of sleep within 24 hours is more beneficial to the body. This practice is suggested to have stemmed from the idea of "The Second Sleep", which we have delved into briefly below.
The Second Sleep
The idea behind the second sleep comes from the "olden days" before electricity was around (or common). Many people would go about their day in daylight hours, before going to bed as the sun set between 5-7 pm. Around 11 pm, people would wake up and perform recreational activities by candlelight. Before going back to bed, around 2 am, for their "second sleep". This pattern, it has been argued, is healthier for the body as it gives us a chance to recharge.
How can we ensure we are getting enough sleep?
Our chances of getting enough good sleep can be improved by our sleeping environment. Pillows, incense, light-blocking blinds, a proper mattress are key factors in enhancing our nights' sleep. If you are looking to improve your night, use one of our Casper voucher code to help you save money in the process.